Residents evacuated after morning gas leaks returned home

Published: January 28, 2014 9:36AM

The two natural gas leaks in the area of 629 Sandusky Street and the intersection of Evergreen and Race streets have been contained, and the Ashland Fire Department has given the "all clear" to residents of 13 evacuated homes to return to their properties.

Sandusky Street and Race Street have since been reopened, according to AFD Assistant Chief Dan Raudebaugh.

Residents of the area first reported strong smells of gas around 6:45 a.m.

The first leak, which was found in front of 629 Sandusky St., was contained around 8:15 a.m., according to Ashland County Sheriff Chief Deputy Carl Richert. When the leak was first reported, Sandusky Street between Vine and Cottage streets was closed.

Raudebaugh said Columbia Gas employees will excavate part of the curb and road in front of 629 Sandusky St. and work on the line today.

The second leak at the intersection of Race and Evergreen streets was a "minor" leak, according to Raudebaugh, and the assistant chief said he was still waiting to hear an assessment on the situation from Columbia Gas.

Throughout the morning, firefighters measured gas readings in the basements of homes in the area and advised residents to leave their homes if they smell a gas odor.

Richert said most residents were on their way to or had already left for work when the evacuations began, which Raudebaugh confirmed.

Raudebaugh said nine homes were evacuated in the area of the Sandusky Street leak, and four homes were evacuated near the leak at Race and Evergreen streets.

The two leaks left no resident without natural gas, Raudebaugh said, but he did not rule out short outages while Columbia Gas assesses the leaks throughout the day.